The Penitente Solar Project is located in Saguache County, South Central Colorado, where it provides power to the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (SLVREC). RES developed, constructed, and will operate and maintain the distributed solar photovoltaic system while AEP OnSite Partners owns the solar installation and provides the output to SLVREC through a long-term contract. SLVREC is the second-oldest electric cooperative in Colorado and is headquartered in Monte Vista, CO.
Penitente Solar is a ground-mounted project equipped with a single-axis tracking system and it is now in service. SLVREC purchased the output from the facility to serve customers residing in its service territory, which includes Saguache, Rio Grande, Costilla, Alamosa, Conejos, Mineral and Hinsdale Counties. The expected operational lifetime of the project is over 25 years.
“Penitente Solar is the latest example of RES building strong relationships with co-ops across the country to develop, construct, and operate local renewable power for rural areas” said Tom Duckett, President of RES Distributed. “RES is pleased to have partnered with SLVREC to make available the benefits of reliable, sustainable renewable energy for their members.”
Loren Howard, CEO of SLVREC, added that the co-operative had investigated the development of a solar project for several years and after an extensive evaluation, selected RES to develop and construct its first solar project. Penitente Solar provides SLVREC members access to renewable energy which is locally generated and cost effective and the co-op is looking forward to developing more local renewable projects that benefits its members and communities in the San Luis Valley. It says it will continue to invest in these types of projects along with projects like Ciello powered by REC to help foster economic growth and development.
RES has constructed over 370 MW of renewable energy projects in Colorado thus far. The company’s distributed team creates solutions that are tailored for each customer, with the aim of providing controllable, competitive, and predictable power.
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